Hi guys! I'm very torn on whether to stay at my current barn, or go to a barn closer to my house. The barn I board at is about 30-40 minutes away. I know that doesn't sound like much but I'm a student, and my mom is constantly working, so I can only make it down about 2 days a week. I love my trainer and I don't want to lose her guidance being a new horse owner (about 3 months) because she's amazing and she has taught me SO much, but it's so difficult to get down there, and when I do I have to ride in the low teens because I go at night and they don't have an indoor. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE, I'd really appreciate it, thanks❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

1, I now have that song playing through my head and there is nothing I can do about it lol XD! And 2. What dose the barn closer offer you, besides location?

Well there are actually like 3 different barns within 10-15 minutes from my house. They're all english barns, but I'm actually looking into riding english, but my trainer wants me to ride western for now, which is one thing that I honestly don't even want to do. In the next two years I want to at least be able to compete in low level dressage, and maybe try eventing. One barn, I'm positive it has an indoor, but the owners are very rude (and racist), the other barn is pretty expensive, and the last barn is sort of different than what I'm used to. Small out door, that is kind of a hot mess, but it's one of those cute, small barns so I could be okay with that. I'm a very indecisive person and I want what's good for my horse before what's good for me, you know?Posted via Mobile Device

First barn... run away. It doesn't make for a happy co existance being on a yard with rude owners. It makes you reluctant to ride and go and see your horse.

Second barn... is it expensive for a reason? Can you do weekend work, or take on some work yourself I.e. Mucking out yourself and feeding to save pennies? I always look at how healthy the horses look, how relaxed the owners look and watch a lesson by the onsite trainer. I'll then talk to the trainer and hear they're experiences and their training methods. Sometimes a more expensive barn is better, even if it means not getting that new pair of shoes ;D

Third barn... you say hot mess? As in, is the footing dangerous? A cute barn means nothing to a horse... food water and shelter is what they look for and require. I wouldn't take my horse to a place that can't maintain something as simple as a schooling surface.

There are ALWAYS going to be horse trainers around. You may grow fond of one, and not want to leave, but you have to put number one first. Why is she making you ride western? It sounds like she is giving you a bit of a run for your money, if I'm fair. When you get happy and comfy with western, and then change to English, you'll have to fork out more money in lessons to retrain yourself and the horse.

Write out the pros and cons of all the barns and compare. I would say a good barn, good sized stables, good footing in the school, happy owners and workers and a darn good trainer are the things to look out for. Sometimes it can be a bit of trial and error finding the right yard, but you don't want to have to move around all the time. I had a friend who's horses had lived in her backyard. She wanted to do more training... she looked at 37 different yards (from big yards to sheds and a field with a muckheap) in the area... bonkers!! But she wanted a nice, warm and happy feeling and make sure that everything was right for her and the horses.

What jumped out at me is you want to ride English, go the dressage route yet your "wonderful" trainer is pushing you to ride western....No, don't think so!
If said trainer was so wonderful she would be encouraging you and helping you to reach YOUR goal, not hers.

Barns...not a very good thing to say about any of them...you listed negatives...no positives? That is a issue to me.

I would continue to look for a new barn and trainer.
English, especially real dressage is very different in a dressage saddle than a heavy clunky western saddle just on how the saddle is built, you sit and present those all important cues to your horse.

The sooner you move on to a new facility and trainer that will work with, encourage and help you to achieve what you desire the better in my opinion...

Yes move to a new barn. I don't know which one, but what really stuck out is that you want to ride english. Don't let her bully you into riding western if you aren't interested. There's no reason for you to ride western except that brings money to her. You are the client, you choose the direction you want to go. Find a trainer that is better suited for you.

I suggest taking a lesson at some barns in your area on a school horse before moving your horse, so you can decide if you like the trainer first. Or, you could find a private barn and have a trainer come to you. Look at local ads online or in supply stores to find those.

Thank you all for responding! I'm going to make a list of pros and cons. My trainer is really great though, she had my best interests at heart! I've been dieting so I would have an easier time in an English saddle and also for health reasons, and she doesn't want me to ride english until I'm 'fit' enough. I will take all of this into consideration! I really appreciate this! And if anyone has any more opinions I would love to hear! Thanks(:Posted via Mobile Device

I've seen a ton of new riders do english instead of western, not be fit, and do completely fine. I took a year off from riding and went straight into english after being a western rider and I was fine with it.

Am I the only one who sung the title? Anyway, I would say move, but by the sounds of it none of the other barns would really be an option (or at least for me personally). If you have the funds for the more expensive barn I would pursue that one. If they're expensive and keeping clients while being expensive, there's a reason.

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